Legal poppy cultivation way forward for Afghanistan?

12.41.55pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 24th Aug 2006

London Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford is asking the European Commission to consider purchasing poppy fields in Afghanistan for the legal cultivation of opium for medicinal use.

She said: "Given the difficulties in eradicating illegal poppy cultivation in Afghanistan due to lack of alternative crops that could supply farmers with a living, it seems logical that the European Commission consider how to legitimise Afghan poppy growing. This would provide a sustainable livelihood for farmers, generate income for the Afghan state and address the global shortage of pain relief medicine."

Afghanistan is the largest cultivator of opium poppy in the world, despite recent efforts by the Afghan government backed by US, British and other NATO troops to eradicate this illegal practice. It is evident that poppy farmers see no alternative means of survival and are also faced with the threat from traffickers if they resist their demands.

Baroness Ludford added," Opium licensing could provide stability in contrast to the current policy of eradication which threatens Afghanistan's future peace and democracy after over two decades of conflict. It happens elsewhere and is at least worth considering."

Note to editors: Under current international law, countries can apply for a licence from the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) to legally produce and sell opium for medical purposes. Many countries, including Australia, France, Turkey and India, already do so.